Are You Supposed to Clip Begonias Back to Make Them Bushier?

Pinching

• Small branches and the tips of a begonia are tender and can be pruned without cutting tools. Simply take the end of the branch between forefinger and thumb and pinch firmly. The branch breaks as neatly as if it had been cut. Pinching small stems encourages the begonia to send out new branches at the base of the plant. Pinching the ends of branches forces the begonia to grow side branches. Both make the plant fuller and bushier. Some caution is needed, however. Pinching back the same stem repeatedly keeps it from growing. If flower buds are pinched off, the plant will have fewer blossoms, so it is best to pinch a stem early before it sets flowers or after the blooms on it are spent.

Pruning

• Large begonia branches and stems need to be cut with small pruning shears. Branches that have lost leaves can be cut close to pot level. This results in the begonia sending out new shoots creating a fuller plant. Stems can also be cut just above bushy growth for a more compact plant. Pruning is also needed if a branch is damaged, unhealthy or develops mildew. This allows the begonia to focus on growth and flowers rather than fighting an illness.

New Plants

• Young plants benefit from being pinched back routinely. Because pinching back small stems encourages the begonia to produce more stems, the plant is fuller and bushier. As the plant matures the additional stems result in more buds and flowers. The begonia also remains compact longer; mature stems then need less pruning to keep it nicely shaped.

Mature

• Begonias that have bloomed awhile can become leggy and unattractive. Pruning long stems down to just above the soil level encourages the plant to produce new stems, which extends the life of the plant. The new growth also produces many more flowers. Cutting stems down to the bushy growth results in side branches forming. These branches make the begonia fuller and can help hide stems that have been cut down to the base until the new growth has a chance to fill in. Pruning can seem drastic, but it keeps begonias healthy and extends the life of the plant.